Mintage: 10,708

There might be 10 Mint State specimens of the scarce 1879-CC $20 gold piece, most of them graded MS-60 to MS-61. NGC reports that it graded one MS-63 example of this elusive date, although we have not seen it. If the combined population statistics of PCGS and NGC are accurate, there should be an abundant supply of 1879-CC double eagles in grades AU-55 and AU-58. This is debatable, however. Regardless of how many examples of this date exist in grades AU-55 to MS-63, the challenge is to find one, in any grade, that displays heart-pounding eye appeal. Not all AU-55s, AU-58s, MS-60s, and MS-61s, etc. are created equal. Only a small percentage of surviving specimens are inspiring in appearance.

The piece offered here is arguably the finest looking AU-55 example known, with claims to an AU-58 grade. Its surfaces are semi-Prooflike and they radiate much reflectivity. The color on both sides is a warm golden-orange shade. Scattered contact marks and a few wispy hairlines are visible, but no more than you would see on an MS-61 specimen. The details on the high points are sharp, as is typical for this date, with only slight softness at the crown of Ms. Liberty’s head. The diagnostic raised lumps of metal are clearly visible beneath the digits in the date, most notably under the 1 and the 9.

With its superior eye appeal and its Prooflike reflectivity, this lovely specimen is a cut above others in its class.

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